Topics - Chad Hoefler

I am selling a very lightly used Kurzweil 76-key synth on eBay for a very low starting price. The synth works perfectly, and I am only selling it to help fund a home-improvement project that cannot be put off any longer. Here is the link to the auction. Thanks for your consideration!

After our move last year, I rebuilt my studio in a room with outlets that do not register as grounded on my surge suppressors. I have read conflicting reports about the dangers associated with ungrounded outlets and equipment safety, and I wanted to collect your thoughts on this.

I recently had a nearfield monitor burn out on me. Literally (nasty burnt smell and everything). However, this was preceded by an accident with a software synth that resulted in a horribly loud and strident sound for a minute or so before I got things under control. The problems with the monitor began after that, and it died the following day. I've had no problems with other equipment plugged into this outlet/surge suppressor.

My participation at the forum here has been sporadic over the last couple years due to a very hectic professional career (as a post doctoral fellow in the Zoology Dept. at Miami University). But I simply wanted to mention that my wife and I will be moving to the Philly area next month (we recently bought a house in a suburb ca. 10 miles north of the city). I accepted a faculty position at a university in the area (last March) and can't adequately describe the excitement that stems from the fact that this area is a major hub for ambient/electronic musicians. I hope to boost my activity in the near future (a new CD has been "almost finished" for over a year--expect an interesting announcement soon) and look forward to meeting many of you in person at concerts, etc.

My curiosity regarding the community of listeners that enjoys the genres of music aired on programs like Hearts of Space or Echoes, etc. has only grown over the years, yet I have to admit that I was caught off guard to learn that Charles Manson proclaims to enjoy Hearts of Space in this old Tom Snyder interview (at the 6:46 mark). Just a weird youtube discovery that I had to share.